According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), occupational therapy helps people participate in everyday activities. “Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.”
Occupational Therapy and Vision Loss
How can occupational therapy benefit those who have experienced vision loss? By adapting your environment to meet your needs. An Occupational Therapist can help you make simple changes around the home, at work, or in a classroom; these changes may include:
- adding tactile or color-coded markers to items so they are easily identifiable
- updating or increasing lighting
- using contrast to make items more visible
- adding assistive technology or adaptive equipment
- organizing your space to reduce clutter and remove tripping hazards
An occupational therapist can help you learn new ways to accomplish daily tasks such as cooking, grooming, reading, and writing. They can also help to increase mobility so that you feel more comfortable moving around your home.
If your vision has started to change due to macular degeneration or other eye condition that causes low vision, talk to your eye care professional, low vision specialist, or primary care doctor to request an evaluation by an occupational therapist. As a student, you or your parent/guardian may inquire with the school or teacher regarding occupational therapy services. Learn ways to use your remaining vision to the fullest in the early stages of vision loss. This will make it easier to adapt as your vision continues to change.
Do you need suggestions for products that would help you make practical changes around your home? Would you like to know what assistive technology is available to make reading and writing easier? Connect with us!